Level #2 obedience continues on where Level #1 left off. An emphasis is put on commands while your dog is in motion, and non-verbal hand commands are administered while at a distance and while in motion.
Here you begin the process of separating your dog from its leash in an environment full of the distractions of other dogs, people, sights and sounds. Your relationship and control is on full display because your words are the only thing controlling your dog!
You’ll call your dog to your side from a distance, and as it’s passing other dogs and people you’ll simply raise your hand above your head, and without saying a word, your dog will stop and drop into a down position (See Tracy do this with her chocolate lab, Kodi, in our video gallery). Exercises like this are designed to keep your dog’s attention on you even while it’s running and has the visual distraction of its environment.
You’ll heel your dog on your left side while walking a figure 8 pattern around other dogs, then you’ll command your dog to “sit” while you continue walking…your dog will stop, sit, and watch you keep walking while the other dogs are told to “stay.” (See Joyce do this with her German Shepherd, Zach, in our video gallery.)
Sit from motion (verbal and non-verbal) – down from motion (verbal and non-verbal) – sit from a down position (verbal, non-verbal and blind) – place (stay in/don’t cross line) – stand (verbal and non-verbal)
